Hyperbaric Therapy for Wound Healing

Anatomy and Physiology

Refractory diabetic wounds are often chronically or acutely infected and have compromised vascularity. Arterial compromise is usually of the small distal arteries, but larger arteries can also be involved. There can be venous congestion causing venous stasis ulcers in conjunction with arterial compromise and other changes associated with diabetes, such as neuropathy and edema.

Indications

The conditions approved by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society for hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

• Decompression sickness
• Acute arterial gas emboli
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Gas gangrene
• Refractory osteomyelitis
• Acute blood loss anemia
• Failed skin grafts
• Chronic radiation injury
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Acute thermal injury
• Compartment syndromes
• Compression injury
• Cranial abscess
• Arterial insufficiency
• Acute sensory hearing loss

There are numerous off-label indications such as autism, stroke, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that have not been proven to respond to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A specific indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in wound healing is in cases of Wagner grade 3 diabetic wounds refractory to at least 30 days of conventional therapy. The Wagner scale categorizes the severity of diabetic foot wounds. This scale is as follows:

• Grade 0: skin intact
• Grade 1: superficial wound
• Grade 2: wound reaching bone or tendon
• Grade 3: abscess, osteomyelitis, or tendonitis
• Grade 4: gangrene involving forefoot or toes
• Grade 5: gangrene involving the whole foot[2]

Contraindications

Most contraindications to hyperbaric oxygen therapy are related to issues of barotrauma. This is when there is physical injury to an area with a closed air-filled space such as the lung or middle ear. Injury results from the expansion of trapped gases with the changing pressure from the hyperbaric dive resulting in rupture of the compartment (perforation of a tympanic membrane or pneumothorax). The only true absolute contraindication is untreated pneumothorax. Diving a patient in this situation will lead to the fast progression of a tension pneumothorax and certain death. More relative contraindications are the presence of pulmonary blebs and emphysema with carbon dioxide retention.

The administration of certain drugs is a relative contraindication. Disulfiram blocks superoxide dismutase, which protects against oxygen toxicity (a known risk of hyperbaric oxygen therapy). Cisplatinum and mafenide acetate impair wound healing. Bleomycin can cause interstitial pneumonitis. Sinusitis, seizures, pregnancy, implanted devices such as pacemakers, and epidural pumps are also relative contraindications. Claustrophobia, especially in cases of the monoplace chamber, can be an issue.[3]

Equipment

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is administered in an approved and inspected pressurized chamber. The chambers are either monoplace chambers which hold only one patient at a time or multiplace chambers that can accommodate several patients and an overseeing physician. The multiplace chambers can accommodate a wider variety of patients, such as those on ventilators or those who need special accessory equipment that would not fit into a monoplace chamber. This activity regulates everything from exhaust carbon dioxide to the purity of oxygen and air. Frequent inspections are mandated, and the staff has to be specially trained to oversee hyperbaric dives. There is also a safety director appointed to each facility, ensuring compliance with specifications.

The most catastrophic event associated with a hyperbaric dive is a failure of the chamber or fire. Hopefully, the frequent inspections and keen vigilance of the staff will avoid the failure of the chamber. Fire prevention is also at the forefront of concern with dives. Three things are needed for a fire; a combustible material, a spark or fire source, and oxygen. Patients are limited to what they can bring into the chamber. No oils, electronics, or other non-approved items are allowed. They must wear only specially approved gowns, and no street clothes are permitted. Patients are also grounded to prevent static sparks. Any non-approved electronic equipment can only be used away from the open chamber.

Personnel

The physicians and all personnel, including the cleaning staff, must have special training in hyperbaric medicine and the chambers. Each overseeing physician must complete at least a 40-hour training course in hyperbaric medicine. Physicians can also get certified in undersea and hyperbaric medicine through a year-long fellowship. Hyperbaric techs must also take a 40-hour hyperbaric course. There is an appointed safety officer who has extra safety and maintenance training. Cleaning personnel must be aware of precautions needed to clean the acrylic monoplace chambers and the other special details in caring for and maintaining multiplace chambers.[4]

Preparation

Before recommending hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a wound, the patient must have undergone at least thirty days of failed standard therapy consisting of mechanical and chemical debridements, application of acceptable wound products such as alginates and collagens, and treating underlying issues such as infection, malnutrition, and pressure relief. Patients then must have insurance approval for reimbursement. They then undergo orientation and a detailed history and physical exam to rule out any existing contraindications. They must demonstrate the ability to clear their ears by Valsalva and show no signs of claustrophobia for the monoplace chambers. They are also carefully instructed on what is allowed and prohibited in the chambers, as well as all possible risks of diving. Wound patients usually require transcutaneous oximetry (TCOM) testing to confirm that they will probably respond to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Blood glucose and pressure are checked before each dive, as these numbers will change during an actual dive. Eardrums and breath sounds are also checked pre-dive and post-dive to rule out barotrauma.[5]

Technique or Treatment

Hyperbaric dives follow specific proven dive protocols depending on the condition being treated. Dives last around two hours daily with two 10-minute oxygen breaks to prevent oxygen seizures. They usually go to a pressure of 2.4 ATM at 100% oxygen. A typical dive routine lasts for 33 sessions but can be extended if need be.

Complications

The most common complication of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is barotrauma. Barotrauma is caused by the expansion of gases in a confined space. The most common barotrauma is rupture or irritation of the tympanic membrane. Other more serious injuries include pneumothorax, rupture of small vessels, and damage of the inner, middle, and external ear canals. More serious hazards include oxygen seizures, convulsions, and pulmonary edema, and hemorrhage. Catastrophic complications are chamber fires and explosions.[6]

Clinical Significance

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has an added dimension to the armamentarium of treating complicated chronic wounds. It may not help all patients, but it has been proven to benefit many patients with specific wound-healing issues.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Good knowledge of indications for hyperbaric medicine is mandatory for anyone treating chronic wounds. Not all wounds are approved for hyperbaric therapy, but proper referral and initiation of hyperbaric treatment is a must. Correct assessment by the primary caregiver wound specialist, and hyperbaric physician must be a mainstay for maximum effect and best results for wound healing.